Chapter 4

Kirah was sitting in an armchair in Kenn's apartment. It was past noon and Kenn had gone to his stand, leaving her alone with Zero. Of course, having grown used to the female drone's presence, she didn't mind. They were discussing quarian immune systems. Kirah couldn't remember who brought up the topic, but it probably had something to do with her cough.

She had joined suits with Kenn the day before. Receiving Zero as a gift only made her realize how much he cared for her and what she actually felt for him. Love would be the correct term now. She had counted the number of times she'd catch herself staring at him throughout the day, and she lost track at around fifteen. A sudden burst of coughing broke her train of thought.

„Are you fine, Kirah?" Zero asked, worried.

„It's nothing, I'm fine," Kirah answered and smiled, thinking of Kenn again. „Nothing compared to what I went through yesterday, at least."

„Is it normal for organics to show strong signs of affection so suddenly?"

Zero couldn't know everything. Love was just a hollow word to synthetics. Kirah felt a little sorry for her.

„Not really," she answered and cleared her throat. „But I'm different. Everyone is different, and there's always a match for you. A person you just can't stop thinking about. Kenn just so happens to be that person for me. And the sudden ‚signs of affection,' as you call it... well, that's just how I act."

„Would you mind giving me information on the first time you met Kenn?" Zero asked, spinning around.

„Sure not," Kirah started before yet another burst of coughing overtook her. She cleared her throat again and continued. „It was about two weeks ago, I believe..."

She was alone. Her pride destroyed, her legs barely capable of holding her up. She was cold and hungry, not having eaten for a day, and it was going to get worse. A lot worse.

She slowly picked herself off the ground. This wasn't the time to complain about how unfair life is. It was either now or never; she had to find someone willing to help her, because there was no way she'd survive on her own now.

She made a few careful steps forward, hoping her legs wouldn't fail her now. The marketplace was just a few minutes of walking away. She could find help there. Hopefully.

The pain was unbearable. Not just the physical pain, spreading from her legs throughout her body, threatening to paralyze her. She couldn't believe what was really happening, and that hurt. She'd always been smart and successful. So was her family back on the flotilla. And one wrong move later, here she was, starving, broke and stranded on Omega with no way out.

This wasn't a vid or a game. This was real, and she still couldn't accept that. She'd never imagined this could happen. Would she ever get off this rock? Would she get to see her family at least one more time?

The marketplace was right in front of her. The sound of people shouting and bargaining combined with the news reports coming from the loud speakers made her flinch. At least the slums had been quiet.

She walked around, carefully inspecting the stores without getting noticed. Even here, quarians weren't welcome. One of the stores caught her attention; it was tiny, far from the chaos of the marketplace center and most importantly, it was run by a quarian. He seemed young, around her age. This was her chance. It made perfect sense; who would be more willing to help a quarian than another quarian?

She walked up to him shyly. She could still turn around and go away, but her legs kept moving towards the stand.

„Hey," the quarian greeted her. Now it was her turn. What to say, what to say?

„Hello," she said nervously, her legs shaking. This conversation could save her life or end it, but it was going to be very awkward either way. „I... I need help, sir..." She staggered and only barely stopped herself from falling.

„Are you okay?" the quarian asked, quickly grabbing her hand and pulling her behind the counter before offering her a seat. She pretty much fell into the chair. Finally, relief. Her legs still hurt, but at least they didn't have to support her now.

„Thank you..." she said, expecting his goodwill to run out.

„Are you alright? What happened?" he asked. She couldn't believe it. What she heard in his voice... was that concern? Worry?

„I got lost," she admitted shamefully. „I'm on my Pilgrimage. I was stupid and... I decided to try my luck here, but I don't even have any credits and now I don't know what to do..."

„It's alright," he assured her. „I believe I can help you."

He pulled out a bottle of water and a straw. „Here, have a drink."

She was delighted. Her lips were dry and cracked. Before she knew it, the bottle was almost empty.

„Thank you," she said before returning the bottle to him. „You just saved me. I hope I'm not bothering you... Heck, I don't even know your name! I'm sorry."

„It's okay." He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. „I'm Kenn. And you are?"

She sent him a grateful look. „Kirah. Kirah'Zan nar Hastra."

„It is certain you were very lucky," Zero noted.

„Yeah," Kirah admitted. „Yeah, I was. Omega isn't exactly the best place to make friends. I was scared, but what choice did I have?"

„Why did you have trouble communicating?" the drone asked.

„It's the feelings, Zero," she explained. „You might not have noticed but I've always been shy around people I didn't know. It's a kind of a defense mechanism, and – ironically enough – it can really screw up my day sometimes. Being in danger didn't really help anything either. This station taught me to fear everything that's on it, so Kenn being nice was a rather unexpected discovery."

„But didn't you say that the fact Kenn is a quarian played a significant role in beginning to trust him?"

„It's not as simple," Kirah replied. „Quarians aren't perfect, Zero. Kenn didn't have to welcome me with open arms and a much needed snack. In fact, he had every right to send me away. But he didn't. He still helped me, probably even saved my life. And he didn't regret it."

„How can you be sure of that?" Zero objected. „I do not intend to disrupt your trust towards him, but I do not recall him ever telling you such a thing." Kirah chuckled.

„What we did yesterday says otherwise. I love him, Zero. I really do. And he loves me too."

„I have not witnessed the aforementioned moment," the drone said. „You told me to, as you put it, take a rest."

„I..." Kirah began but was interrupted by her omnitool beeping. She pressed a button.

„Hey, Kenn," she said with a smile when a projection of Kenn materialized above her omnitool. „What's up?"

„I hope I'm not interrupting... Can you get to my store? I think we might be in luck." That could only mean he found a buyer for Zero's blueprint. They had already discussed this with Zero and the drone didn't seem to mind. She was already special enough.

Kirah was shocked... and happy. With enough credits, they could get transport off Omega. They could go somewhere nice. Anywhere.

„It's alright," she replied. „We were just having a, uh, talk. Be there in five." She closed her omnitool and went towards the door.

„Do you request assistance?" Zero asked. Kirah shook her head at her before leaving the apartment.

The trip to Kenn's store took her only a few minutes. She was excited. Of course, just having found a buyer didn't mean anything yet; but it was the first step, and she suddenly felt very confident in their chances.

As she approached the store, she immediately noticed an asari standing in front of the counter examining some data on her omnitool and discussing something with Kenn. The alien looked like a rich person, unlike anything on Omega. Her luxurious blue robe alone made her stand out from the crowd. If they succeed... keelah. So many credits.

„I came as fast as I could," Kirah said.

„Is she your friend?" the asari asked with a smile. Kenn nodded.

„I'm Kirah'Zan. A pleasure to meet you."

„Good day to you, Kirah," the alien answered in a friendly voice. I'm Melara Yani and I work for Elkoss Combine. Our company is interested in your friend's drone technology."

„I see. Carry on, please." Kirah smiled and moved to the far corner where Kenn had some spare parts piled up. She was curious whether Zero could be further upgraded. Occasionally, she stopped rummaging through the parts for a while to listen to Kenn's conversation with the manager but heard nothing interesting until the debate became centered on the price of the blueprints.

„The full VI capability is what interests us most," Melara said. „It is unusual for drones of such size. And the design is very efficient."

„Thank you," Kenn replied, surprised. He definitely didn't think it would be very successful.

„I wouldn't exactly call myself a tech specialist, but this is exactly what our company needs. We can offer twenty thousand credits as down payment and a hundred credits author's fee for every drone built."

„How many drones would that be?" Kenn asked with no apparent interest in her offer. They needed the credits now.

„I believe around a thousand drones for the first batch. We would see how successful the sales are, then decide whether to continue production or not."

„That sounds like a long-term plan," the quarian said, somewhat disappointed. „Me and my friend are planning to make larger spendings very soon, and we would prefer a higher one-time payment." Kirah smiled. Absolutely selfless. One of the things she loved about him.

„I see," Melara responded calmly. „We can arrange for that as well. A hundred thousand credits?"

„Sorry for interrupting, but what exactly are the drones going to be used for?" Kirah asked.

„Our company is always looking to expand," the asari explained. „We're currently adding drones to our inventory. These particular drones would be designed to assist injured or disabled people. They are intelligent, adaptable and can solve any problem. Exactly what these people need."

„A hundred thousand would be fine," Kenn decided after a brief while. Melara proceeded to swipe her credit chit through the slot. The quarian gave her a disc with the blueprint. „Thank you. Good luck with the sales."

„Likewise, sir," she said before walking away.

Kirah moved her chair right next to Kenn's and held his hand.

„Is that it?" she asked with a smile.

„Seems like it," Kenn confirmed. „But we have a big problem."

„Do tell."

„Who will book the ship?"